We picked up from where we left off last weekend. Thanks to Jasmin for dropping Aida, Aileen, Ferlino and myself off near the trailhead in Manoa. Time waits for no man, especially the bus driver. Side note about raw milk. Proponents say that drinking raw milk which is taken straight from the cow, chilled and bottled, contains beneficial bacteria, enzymes and raw fats that promote digestion and general health. Opponents say that raw milk contains bacteria and pathogens which makes it unsanitary and potentially dangerous. Raw milk sales are currently illegal in Hawaii for human consumption, hence the sticker.

Pu’u Pia Trail

Back to our roots.

Pu’u Pia Trail

Descending down the slippery slope.

Waiakeakua Stream

Crossing the streambed.

Manoa Middle Trail

My first time going up the trail. Infinitely better.

Manoa Middle Trail

Looking back at the wide and vast valley that was once home to taro patches but now are home to million dollar homes.

Manoa Middle Trail

Climbing through suffocating swathes of uluhe ferns, which are native and not invasive as one would think when suffering from constant contact with the false staghorn ferns.

Manoa Middle Trail

Visual obscurity was increased due to settling cloud cover.

Manoa Middle Summit

Ferlino enjoying the pork adobo he had brought to share with Tessa. More for him now.

Manoa Middle Summit

Group photo with Windward views.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

The moisturized winds started to batter the ridgeline as we set foot on the spine of the Ko’olau Mountains.

KSRT

I think we forget sometimes that we are on the edge of a 2,000′ plus cliff clinging to the vegetation.

KSRT

Trading in for wider terrain as we crossed the wind swept meadows.

KSRT

Cardio climb.

KSRT

Steep and muddy going up.

K2

Standing on one of the two “large testicles” as Hawaiian legend would have it, a giant threw his testicles (kona hua nui) at a fleeing woman that he desired, but escaped him. Self castration at its finest.

KSRT

Traversing between the schweddy balls.

Konahuanui Summit

Socked in at the highest peak on the Ko’olau Mountains.

KSRT

Pushing through the mud that was populated by highly fragrant but invasive yellow ginger plants.

KSRT

Losing elevation as we dropped from the summit.

Piliwale Ridge

Descending down the sliver of a ridge, pioneered by Silver Piliwale, a full blooded Hawaiian.

Piliwale Ridge

Aileen scooting her way down the steep descent.

Piliwale Ridge

The cloud cover soon started to break apart as we dropped lower on the ridgeline.

Piliwale Ridge

Following the rope down.

Piliwale Ridge

Contouring around the ridge to get back on the trail.

Piliwale Ridge

Panoramic views of the Windward side.

Piliwale Ridge

Well, this is awkward.

Piliwale Ridge

The dirt terrain soon gave way to hard rocks.

Piliwale Ridge

Aileen guiding Aida through the downclimb.

Piliwale Ridge

Climbing the roots down.

Notch

Hello from the other side.

Notch

Looking back at the seemingly impossible steep ridge. Things are not always what they appear to be.

Notch

Our last group photo.

Maunawili

Walking through the valley steeped in history that started out as agricultural and cattle ranches that have slowly been replaced by golf courses and homes.

All pau

We overshot our planned exit and became a traffic hazard. Thanks to Jasmin for picking us up.

GPS Tracks

Our windy hike covered 5.15 miles with good company. Post hike meal at Kenko-ya where apparently eating other peoples food happens.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Aileen Agustin, Ferlino Carinio, and yours truly. Not necessarily in order.

Note: I have been made aware that some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers. One should also always let somebody know of your hiking plans in case something doesn’t go as planned, better safe than sorry.

Met up with Aida, Chico, Ferlino and Tessa on the ridge that are home to WW2 bunkers and significant Hawaiian burial sites, as it was a place of refuge during the time of King Kamehameha. Unfortunately it was not a place of refuge for a 2D Jackson chameleon, a lizard that was imported from Kenya by Robin Ventura in 1972 to sell as pets but was deliberately released into his backyard as they looked rather unhealthy and he thought the fresh air would do them good. Instead, he unwittingly became the principal architect that began the invasive spread throughout the Hawaiian island chain with the exception of Kauai and Lanai.

Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail

Group photo at the trailhead before we pushed off. One had to be picked up and the other dropped off.

Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail

Walking on the path that began as the Wai’alae Trail back in the 1920s.

Wiliwilinui RIdge Trail

Going up the stairs with the backdrop of panoramic views of East Honolulu behind me.

Wiliwilinui Summit

Group photo at the 2,480′ summit along with Jeff and Rocky who we met at the top.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Leaving the summit as we traversed the ridgeline that was being lightly washed by rain showers.

KSRT

Going up the ridge line that is punctuated by HECO powerline poles.

True Lanipo

Standing at the terminus of the ridge that Dick Davis down climbed back on Christmas Day in 1944, resulting in the loss of all his fingernails.

KSRT

Man down! Chico getting a couple pairs of helping hands to pull himself out of his predicament that was brought on by his spikes.

Kainawa’aunui Summit

Group photo at the socked in 2,520′ summit.

KSRT

We dropped in elevation and also left the cloud cover behind us as well.

KSRT

Letting gravity take us down the “Big Hill.”

KSRT

Descending down from the steep hill and back on relatively flat ridge line.

KSRT

Group photo at the resplendent valley views of town and Diamond Head.

KSRT

Ferlino climbing up another hill with views of three peaks behind him. No finger pointing.

Kau’au Crater

When one is out in the wilderness and lacking zip ties to secure their spikes, one can just use the abundant uki grass instead. Eco hiking at its finest.

Kau’au Crater

Going down the eroded and rutted trail that leads to the twin powerline towers that overshadows the tuff cone that was created from the extinct volcanic crater.

Kau’au Crater

Looking into the marsh filled crater and Palolo Valley that was once home to an airfield in WW2. The name “Ka’au” came from the name of a supernatural chicken that lived in the valley, Ka’auhelemoa.

Kau’au Crater

Where there is a structure to climb, Chico and Ferlino will be on it.

Kau’au Crater

The rest of us had our feet firmly planted on the ground.

KSRT

Heading towards the notch that marks the ascent towards the summit of ‘Awa’awaloa.

‘Awa’awaloa

Climbing up the base of the mountain.

‘Awa’awaloa

Watching Ferlino and Aida making their way to the summit.

‘Awa’awaloa Summit

Lunch break at the 2,486′ summit also known as Mount Olympus.

Wa’ahila Ridge Trail

Briskly going down the steep, eroded and rutted trail. I sense a pattern here.

KSRT

Stepping foot on the Castle trail.

KSRT

Back on the ridge line.

KSRT

Contouring through the thick, tangled hot mess of uluhe ferns and other vegetation.

KSRT

Hello from Sedan Rock.

KSRT

Climbing up the exposed ridge line. The views were infinitely better and the ventilation was a much needed relief.

KSRT

Heading towards the patch of ironwood trees.

KSRT

Aida and Ferlino picking their way on the ridge line.

KSRT

A solitary fiery lehua blossom standing out on our climb to the summit.

Manoa Middle Summit

Chico needed another hand, at least it wasn’t to get pulled out of the bushes again.

Manoa Middle Summit

Our last group photo at our last summit. The original plan was to exit down Piliwale Ridge, but time and spirits dictated otherwise.

Manoa Middle Trail

Going down the initially steep ungraded trail towards Manoa Valley.

Manoa Middle Trail

Climbing down the steep cliff.

Queen’s Bath

Will the real Queen’s Bath please wash itself?

Pu’u Pia Trail

The climb up our last hill registered on Tessa’s face. Somebody needed medicine. A certain type of medicine.

All pau

Exiting the heavily rooted and rocky trail where Jasmin picked us up. Our traversal over the Ko’olau Mountains covered slightly less than seven miles with good company. Post hike meal at Pho Time where certain individuals should not be discussed as it will result in high blood.

Photos taken by Aida Gordon, Chico Cantu, Ferlino Carinio, Tessa Bugay, and yours truly. Not necessarily in order.

Note: I have been made aware that some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers. One should also always let somebody know of your hiking plans in case something doesn’t go as planned, better safe than sorry.

Picking up from where I left off a couple weeks ago. Aida joined me today to help finish off the Southern section of the KST. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Trailhead

Thanks to Quan for dropping us off deep in Palolo Valley.

Ka’au Crater Trail

We scrambled down the boulders, followed the streambed and then the water pipe as we made our way on the trail. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Ka’au Crater Trail

Aida walking in between the new and old water pipes.

Trail sprinkler

All wet already. And we didn’t even get to the first waterfall yet. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Ka’au Crater Trail

Water on tap.

Waterfall #1

Aida had the first waterfall all to herself before approaching hikers descended down to the base. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Ka’au Crater Trail

Climbing our way up to the left to get to the top.

Ka’au Crater Trail

Looking down at the first waterfall.

Waterfall #2

Aida at the second waterfall with the other group right behind us. This place is a popular watering hole.

Ka’au Crater Trail

Climbing up to the right and contouring above the second waterfall.

Ka’au Crater Trail

Looking down at the group taking their pictures. Not getting too close, as a woman slid off the top four years ago and luckily survived her fall to the bottom. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Waterfall #3

Aida going up the multi-tiered waterfall that had somewhat decent flow.

Waterfall #3

Making my way up the slippery rocks. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Ka’au Crater Trail

We left the waterfalls and started counter-clockwise on the crater rim to the top. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Ka’au Crater Trail

Aida climbing up through the heavily rutted trail.

Ka’au Crater Trail

Looking down into the marshy caldera that was created when the demigod Maui’s giant hook landed in the valley resulting in the crater we see today. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Ka’au Crater Trail

I decided to do a thing at the top. I proposed to myself. I said yes. Bill and Shirley have nothing on me. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Ka’au Crater Trail

We trailed behind a group as we followed the trail around the crater.

Ka’au Crater Trail

Group photo, left to right: Aida and myself.

Ka’au Crater Trail

Took a photo with the group (Bree, Brit, myself and Kim) that we were following since Aida instigated the picture. Found out that Kim used to hike with the KOMPT (Kronic Oahu Mixed Plate Trekkers). Small world.

Mount Olympus

Looking ahead to the 2,486′ peak that was our next stop. Too bad there isn’t a Zippy’s outlet up there.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Crossing over between the summits. Photo by Aida Gordon.

KSRT

Aida climbing up the steep hill towards the summit of Awaawaloa.

KSRT

Olomana in the background as I climbed my way up to Olympus. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Wa’ahila Trail

Aida going down the rutted trail with the cloud soaked ridge line in the distance.

KSRT

Ducking underneath the rainbow. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Manoa Middle Summit

Sitting underneath the rainbow.

Manoa Middle Trail

Descending down into the thick and vast valley that is Manoa.

Manoa Middle Trail

Climbing down the near vertical section before dropping down to the valley floor. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Queen’s Bath

Washing off the accumulated mud from our hike. Giving back. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Trail

Aida going up the muddy hillside where we met other two legged and four legged hikers coming down.

Pu’u Pia Trail

Going down the trail knotted with roots and padded with rocks. Photo by Aida Gordon.

All pau

We finished our fun little hike with daylight to spare. Quan met up with us for lunch at Serge’s. We ate in the shadow of Safeway.

GPS Tracks

Our crater to valley hike covered 5.8 miles through muddy and scenic views. Thanks to Aida for joining me on today’s hike.

Note: I have been made aware that some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers.

We decided to have Christmas come early for Lilyn today. Met up with Analyn, Anne, Art, Lilyn and myself at the Pali Lookout where typical windy conditions greeted us.

Trailhead

Right off the bat, it was a short and steep climb up. The best part of waking up, is hiking up. Photo by Art Young.

Pali Trail

Anne breaking out into the open grassy spot which afforded us much better views than the lookout.

Pali Trail

Working our way towards the first of the man-made notches where we ran across two other hikers. Photo by Art Young.

Pali Notches

Lilyn climbing down the first notch. Photo by Art Young.

Pali Notches

Taking a break on the other side. Photo by Art Young.

Pali Notches

Everybody waiting their turn to make their way down the second notch.

Nipple

Time to climb the chimney. Photo by Art Young.

Chimney

Lilyn trying not to get tangled up in the ropes on her way up.

Chimney

Need a hand?

Chimney

Some folks liked to savor their climb up the chimney by sitting down. Photo by Art Young.

Chimney

Others like to be on their back. Photo by Art Young.

Nu’uanu Saddle

The climbing was not over yet. Photo by Art Young.

Contour

Lilyn pulling herself up to the ridge line with backdrop views of Kalihi Valley and points beyond.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Making our way up the grassy ridge line that was punctuated with boulders of assorted sizes and shapes. Photo by Art Young.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Looking back at our crumbly climb.

Nu’uanu Saddle

The girls enjoying a relatively flat section of the ridge line with sweeping Windward views in the background.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Rock climbing. Photo by Art Young.

Nu’uanu Saddle

What happens when you don’t take the helping hand is you land on your back. Some people are used to that already.

Mud Wall

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something purple.

Nu’uanu Saddle

Pushing our way on the muddy trail to the top.

Konahuanui

Group photo at the highest peak on the Ko’olau Mountain Range. Socked in as usual.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Traversing between the schweddy balls.

K2

Met up with Aida, Janell, Quan and Tessa at the shift right peak. There was also a reunion of sorts celebrated with a yawyaw dance and food regurgitation.

K2

Before we left, the girls did their traditional male-excluded butt grab group shot.

KSRT

Watching as the ridge line kept the clouds at bay on the Leeward side.

KSRT

Panoramic cloudy view.

KSRT

Coming down the trail that was partly open and partly overgrown. Photo by Art Young.

KSRT

Janell making her way down with the spine of the Ko’olau Mountain Range ahead of her. Photo by Lilyn Avendano.

KSRT

Leaving the crown jewels of the Ko’olau Mountains behind us. Photo by Art Young.

KSRT

One had to be quick to catch this rainbow. Not all of us saw it. Photographic proof by Aida Gordon.

KSRT

Coming down the sandwiched meadow.

KSRT

Horizontal rain blurred the way to our destination summit.

Manoa Middle Summit

Our not so synchronized group photo, where some of us were more enthusiastic than the others.

Manoa Middle Trail

Heading down into Manoa Valley. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Strawberry guavas

Trail snacks to keep you constipated while hiking.

Manoa Middle Trail

Coming down the steepest part of the trail. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Queen’s Bath

Communal bathing to rinse off the collective mud and grime.

Manoa Valley

Climbing out of the stream fed bath.

All pau

Exiting Pu’u Pia Trail, where we got rides from Tessa, Aida and Quan. Some of us showered and freshened up to make ourselves somewhat presentable for our dinner that was a little more demanding in terms of personal hygiene than our usual hang outs. Photo by Art Young.

Post hike meal

We celebrated Ferlino’s birthday at Jade Dynasty where Cathy, Dale, Edgar, Jasmin (2), Matt, Richard and family, Sally and Somphet also joined the party. Thanks to Sally for putting the delicious menu together and setting up the private room arrangements. Photo by Ferlino Carinio.

GPS Tracks

Our 4.7 mile hike that took us to the highest peak on the Ko’olau Mountain Range and down into the deep and thick valley of Manoa was another fun adventure with good company.

Note: I have been made aware that some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers.

Met up with a rather large group comprised of Aida, Allison, Ani, Art, Bill, Chris, Dale, Janell, Jason, Justin, Katie, Naomi, Quan, Shirley and Tessa at the Pali Lookout with favorable conditions or so I thought. Some of us had places to go and some of us didn’t. Drone photo by Justin Wahl.

Pali Lookout

Somebody found one of Dale’s painted rocks that he plants around the island’s hiking trails. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Trail

Nothing to wake you up like a short, steep and slippery climb first thing in the morning.

Trail

Trail runners yielding to the hikers.

Kalihi Valley

Dale overlooking the valley that once housed leprosy patients before they were shipped out to Molokai. Photo by Art Young.

Pali Vista

Janell with the backdrop of the Windward Oahu unmatched by the Pali Lookout.

Trail

Climbing up the short and steep rocky section to get to the notches. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Pali Notches

Met up with Allison, Naomi and Jason at the top of the first notch.

Pali Notches

Dale spotting Janell as she made her way down, while Bill and Shirley caught up with the group. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Pali Notches

Drone photo by Justin Wahl of the group scattered throughout the notch.

Pali Notches

Catching the breaking sunrise on our way to the second notch. Photo by Ani Lagpacan.

Pali Notches

Art watching Bill making his way down as Janell takes her leave of us. Photo by Quan Haberstroh.

Trail

We lost Allison, Ani, Janell, Jason, Justin, Naomi and Quan as we pushed past the notches. Photo by Dale Yoshizu.

Nipple

Why contour, when you can go up and over? Photo by Art Young.

Nipple

Katie climbing up the side of the rock formation. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Nipple

The group in various stages of picture taking, posing, waiting, climbing and watching.

Chimney

Everybody waiting their turn to climb the vertical rock stack as Aida makes her way up. Photo by Art Young.

Chimney

The many faces of the chimney. Photos by Aida Gordon, Bill Yogi and Tessa Bugay.

Chimney

Most people come prepared to hike. While others just eat their breakfast and sun themselves on the rocks. The nerve of some people. Bill and Shirley turned around after getting their fill of Portuguese sausage and Vitamin D. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Chimney

Bird’s eye view aka WAP. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Trail

Katie climbing over more rocks on our way up.

Contour

Working my way towards the Leeward side of the constantly crumbly rock side. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Contour

Tessa pulling herself up. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Trail

Katie using her slightly large gloves to get a halfway good grip on the crumbly dirt.

Trail

Climbing our way up as we slowly gained elevation.

Trail

Katie grabbing on the woody climbers that populated the ridge line.

Trail

Is this webbing safe? Photo by Aida Gordon.

Trail

Making our way up the ridge line infested with uki grass, the hiker’s ubiquitous friend. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Trail

It’s always hump day somewhere in the mountains.

Trail

Always happy to extend a helping hand. Photo by Katie Bingham.

Trail

The girls perched on a particularly skinny section of the ridge line. Photo by Art Young.

Mud Wall

Making my way up the side of the mountain that has turned more step than wall. Photo by Art Young.

Mud Wall

Tessa pulling herself up the slippery slope. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Trail

Approaching the summit through a hole in the clouds.

Konahuanui Summit

No views on the highest peak on the Ko’olau Mountain Range with nothing but biting flies for company that seemed to have a particular affinity for the Year of the Rat blood. Photo by Aida Gordon.

Ko’olau Summit Ridge Trail (KSRT)

Traversing the ridge that kept the clouds at bay on the Windward side. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

K2 Summit

Chris joined us at the summit where somebody had ripped off one of the geodetic markers from its pipe stand. I guess the threat of fine or imprisonment had failed to deter the individual(s) involved. Photo by Aida Gordon.

KSRT

Leaving the twin peaks on our way down to Manoa Middle, a long cry from our original exit point of Kuli’ou’ou.

KSRT

The group following the spine of the Ko’olau Range. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Schweddy Balls

Looking back at the crown jewels of the Ko’olau Mountain Range.

KSRT

Chris in one of the grassy meadows on the trail. Photo by Tessa Bugay.

Manoa Middle Summit

Staring into the sun to get our group picture.

FIrst Aid

Tessa trying to flush Katie’s eye out after too much exposure to dirt and sunshine.

Trail

The sun was out and about, so Art and Katie beat a path down the trail to escape the heat.

Trail

Passing a towering Albizia tree on our way down the trail.

Trail

To summit or to stream?

Queen’s Bath

Aida climbing her way down the steep section of the trail.

Queen’s Bath

We hit the valley floor and followed the stream for a bit. Some followed it more than the others.

Trail

Chris going up the last hill of the day.

Pu’u Pia Trail

Katie’s face said it all. The end of the hike couldn’t come fast enough.

Pu’u Pia Trail

Art coming down the heavily rooted trail. Photo by Aida Gordon.

All pau

We finished our 4.39 mile hike in the back of Manoa Valley where Quan and Justin were waiting to pick us up.

Lilihia Bakery

Our post hike meal was at the eatery that doesn’t seem to run out of oxtail soup. Great hike with a fun crew.

Note: I have been made aware that some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers.

I had always wanted to do a loop involving Waikeakua Falls, so Glenn and I tagged along with the Oahu Hiker’s group that was doing such a hike. Well, half of the hike.

Bridge #1

We met up with the group deep in Manoa Valley to start our hike.

Bridge #2

The trail is also known as the Seven Bridges Road.

Manoa forest

Walking under canopy. The road soon split, where we took the left fork to stay on trail.

Bridge #3

Toby was waiting at the third bridge, as he had started earlier in the day to take pictures.

Bridge #4

There are stories that this trail is haunted by a banshee. Nothing heard. Keep moving.

Waiakeakua stream

Waiakeakua means water of the gods in Hawaiian.

Abandoned car

One of two cars slowly being swallowed by the forest. Maybe they ran out of gas?

Bamboo forest

The group making their way through the bamboo forest.

You guys coming?

The trail started to disappear amidst the heavy foliage and fallen trees, but we kept to the right and eventually made our way up a flight of cement stairs.

Queen’s bath

We soon came across this pool of water fed by a small waterfall known as Queen’s Bath. A couple of us partially climbed on the overhead pipe. We then picked up the trail again on the right of the stream at the top.

Bridge #5

This was the last bridge seen or counted. What happened to the other two?

Landslide

The group taking a break at a recent landslide.

Waterfall #1

Khym making his way up the first waterfall. Didn’t even get his feet wet.

Waterfall #2

Time to take the plunge. The water was over waist high and icy cold. Most of the group took the trail on the left to stay dry. Photo by Richardson Mike

Slippery rope

Glenn climbing up. Karen soon followed and gave everybody a scare when she lost her footing and was dangling from the rope. She eventually regained her footing and made her way up.

Waterfall #3

The tallest of the waterfalls at roughly 60′. Photo by Chris Hiona.

Up we go

Climbing up the waterfall with the help of several ropes that were anchored to the trees. Photo by Naomi Bruneau.

Made it!

Glenn making it to the top.

Looking down

We left the group behind as they stayed at the base of the waterfall and eventually turned around. Our group grew by one, as Khym decided to join us as we continued towards the Koolau Summit.

Leaving the streambed

We followed a faint trail to the right to make our way up the ridge. Going left will take you to Manoa Middle Ridge.

Uluhe trail

Fighting the uluhe to gain the summit.

Looking back

View of Manoa Valley. It was a nice clear day.

On the KSRT

Group photo at the top, left to right: Glenn, myself and Khym.

Windward view

Looking out towards Olomana. It was a super nice clear day.

Follow the slippers

We soon turned right and followed the spine of the Koolaus.

Mount Olympus

The summit of Mount Olympus or Awaawaloa was unusually cloud free, it’s actually the second peak in the picture.

Going up and down

We didn’t actually summit Olympus as we followed the KSRT and connected to the Waahila Ridge Trail.

Dirt slalom

Glenn doing a controlled slide down the dirt trail, while Khym took the middle rut down.

Kolowalu junction

We took the Kolowalu trail to loop back down into Manoa Valley.

Fallen tree

When a tree falls in the forest, you sit and stand on it.

Kolowalu trail

The trail eventually connected to the Puu Pia trail which was the way out.

Splash of color

Red ginger flower?

Walking out

We soon walked out onto Alani Drive where Glenn had staged his truck.

GPS Tracks

The loop that took us through rainforest, waterfalls and mountains covered 4.31 miles with good company all the way. Post hike meal was at Peppa’s Korean BBQ. Courtesy of Glenn. Never bet on hiking time!